Sports Injuries: Types, Treatments, Prevention, and More

Although the term sports injuries may seem like injuries professional athletes may experience, it honestly represents any injury that you can sustain while playing any sport. From broken bones and dislocated joints to torn muscles and ligament strain, there are various types of sports injuries that you can experience. 

These injuries are most common among children since they are the ones who are engaged in sports most often and have the least experience keeping themselves safe. However, sports injuries in adults are harder to treat and take longer to recover. So, to help you improve your awareness and to keep you safe, let’s review the different sports injuries types along with their causes and available treatment options.

Sports Injuries Types

Different sports injuries have different causes. The causes of sports injuries and the type of the injury are used to determine the type of treatment you need for your condition. Let’s review some of the most important sports injury types and their probable causes.

• Strains: Strains are any tears or overstretching of tendons or muscles. These injuries are common among sports that involve people to stretch. They are also common in contact sports. Strains can occur in any part of the body and can be very painful unless you get the appropriate medical care. The most common location for strains are tendons, which are thick fibrous cords of tissue that connect the muscles and bones. The most common symptoms of a strain are pain, tenderness in the affected area, and weakness in the affected area.
   
• Swollen Muscles: As the name suggests, any muscle that is inflamed can be considered a swollen muscle. These injuries can be painful and are common in sports and sports training and workouts. From getting hit in your muscles to overworking them, the cause of this injury can vary. However, swollen muscles can be easily diagnosed due to the tenderness of the muscle, the pain, and the weakness in that specific muscle.
   
• Fractures: Fractures are one of the more severe sports injuries as they can be life-threatening based on the location of the fracture. Broken bones can be incredibly painful and they require a significant recovery period with the possibility of needing surgical intervention for treatment. Fractures are common in athletes engaged in contact sports.
   
• Rotator Cuff Injuries: The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that help your shoulder move in all directions. Any injury to these muscles can cause weakness in your shoulder and limit your shoulder movement range. These injuries often require surgical intervention and an extensive recovery period. The severity of the injury can determine whether the athlete can continue in their sport again or not. However, with advancements in modern medicine, these injuries can be treated with more accuracy and safety today than ever before.
   
• Sprains: Sprains and strains are very similar, however, sprains are more common and can be caused even by walking. A sprained muscle or joint is a common injury for people of all ages, regardless if they are involved in sports or not. The most common symptom of a sprain is weakness and tenderness in the area along with pain. Based on your sprain location, you may be able to treat it yourself at home with an ice pack and over-the-counter medication.
   
• Knee Injuries: Knee injuries are common among all types of sports and they can range from knee dislocation to a broken knee joint. Based on the type of injury, the treatment and recovery period can differ significantly. If you are experiencing a loss of movement in your knees along with inflammation and pain, it is important that you get appropriate medical help.
   
• Dislocations: Dislocations can be severe or they can be a setback in place by the person themselves. You may have seen a sportsperson resetting their dislocated shoulder themselves on live TV, while it is possible, it is a very painful thing to do. Any joint can be dislocated, and it requires immediate medical help. Regardless if you have seen people reset their joints or not, please do not try to do it yourself as it could worsen the injury.
   
• Achilles Tendon Rupture: The Achilles tendon is one of the most notoriously common locations of a sports injury. The tendon is located at the back of your ankle, and even though it is strong, due to its thinness, it can easily get injured. The most common symptoms for this type of injury are difficulty walking and sharp and sudden ankle pain.

Sports Injury Risks

There are four factors that can be considered risks for a sports injury. It is important to monitor these risk factors as they can determine the severity of your injury and your risk of such injuries.

• Age: Ageing adults are a common demographic of sports injuries as their bodies do not work the same way they did when they were younger. Stiffer joints and not enough regular exercise can increase your risk of sports injuries. So, if you want to stay fit and engage in sports as you age, you must do it regularly. Even exercising every day to keep yourself limber can reduce your risk of sports injuries as you age.
   
• Children: Children are not very careful when playing sports and they don’t have the best grip over safety precautions. This leads to an increased risk of sports injuries, which can come from bad techniques or just an overall limited ability to stay safe on the field. While sports injuries are common in children, they are less severe and can heal faster in most cases because children are growing, which allows their injuries to heal faster. Make sure you get your child the right medical care to ensure their sports injuries do not become permanent.
   
• Body Weight: Being obese or overweight increases your risk of sports injuries. This is mainly because improper weight distribution in your body leads to increased pressure on your joints, which while playing sports can increase your risk of injuries. It is very important to focus on your technique if you are overweight to reduce your risk of injuries. Regular sports practice can help you lose weight, which would reduce your risk of injuries.
   
• Improper Technique: Improper technique or just bad luck on the field can lead to injuries more often than you would think. Seasoned veterans of sports can also come down on bad luck and get injured. It is important to get your basics right and wear appropriate sports gear to reduce the severity of your injuries. With the right training, you can minimise your risk of injuries and maximise your performance in your chosen sport.

Sports Injuries Treatment

Based on the type of injury, sports injuries treatment can vary from getting an ice pack and resting to having to go through several surgeries. Let’s review some of the most common sports injury treatments. 

• RICE Method: This is the most common and effective form of treatment for sports injuries. RICE method stands for Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate. With these four steps, the most simple sports injuries can be treated. It is essential to keep following these four steps until the swelling and the pain have gone.
   
• OTC Medicine: To help you with the RICE method, OTC medication can also be used to make it easier to tolerate the pain and discomfort coming from the injury. From pain balms available at pharmacies to over-the-counter pain medication, they can be used in moderation to reduce your pain and let the injury heal itself over time.

If your symptoms do not subside with the two treatment options mentioned above, you may need medical care to understand the extent of your injury and treat it accordingly. For non-fractures and dislocations, the rule of thumb is to treat it at home for at least a week and monitor your symptoms throughout before going to the doctor for further treatment.

Based on a doctor’s diagnosis, if your injury is serious, they will recommend corrective surgeries and physical therapy to treat the condition. With the right treatment, it is possible to treat the injury and help you regain your natural movement. Make sure you get your injury checked medically from multiple sources to get an idea of the best treatment course for your injury. This will help you reduce the risks and be sure that surgery is the right way to go for your injury.

Conclusion

Sports injuries are common among people of all ages and now with your awareness and knowledge regarding these injuries, you will be able to prevent them and treat them better. If you or anyone you know is injured or you would like to know more about sports injuries treatment, feel free to check out MASSH. As one of the top sports injuries treatment hospital in Delhi, we specialise in minimally invasive surgical treatments for sports injuries. Visit our specialists today to get a consultation for your injury.